Which .243 twist

[whbonney26]

Thinking about possibly changing the barrel on my DPMS LR243. It came with a 1:10 twist barrel. That dont seem to leave me with many choices. DPMS states that 95-100 grain is recommended.

What would be the best all around choice for the .243 barrel twist?

Which one will give me the widest range of bullet selection?

I would like to be able to reach out with this gun. The gun will be for punching paper mostly and hunting now and then.

Thank you for any comments you can give me on this matter.


Joey

 

[placek59]

I would try a few different bullets and loads before you start changing barrels. The 10 twist may be ok for some of the 100g hunting bullets but not sure about the 105+ "target" bullets. You may just have to give them a try. Berger lists a 95g vld that may work out for you.

If I remember right, many of the hunting rifles are a 9.5 twist and shoot the 100's just fine (at least mine is and does, never tried the 105's in it though). Mine also shoots the 55g nosler bt's pretty good too with that 9.5 twist (harder on the barrel though). Also, many of the target rifles are an 8 twist and shoot the 105-108 bullets, but they are 6br's or something similar that have just a little less velocity and cannot stabilize the heavier bullets with a slower twist like the .243 may be able to do.

The DPMS recomendation is just the optimal bullet choice for that twist rate, it doesn't mean that you can't shoot any other bullets. You may not be able to shoot the heavier ones but any of the lighter ones should workout good. I have a dpms lr308 10 twist that loves the 155g noslers. I would not give up on that barrel just yet. All of the varmint style dpms rifles I have seen are really good shooters, they just need a little trigger work done to them. If you are going to rebarrel I would call around and ask the barrel makers what they recommend and also tell them what bullets you plan to shoot. You also have to consider that you may not be able to use some of the really long vld bullets in your rifle due to magazine length restrictions (and loss of case capacity due to bullet intrusion). If you are dead set on re-barreling I think a 9 twist would be pretty good for you, but like I said, ask the manufacturer when you order your barrel. Someone with some first hand experience with a .243 in a gas gun may also be able to give you some more help.

 

[whbonney26]

Thank you for your input. I am not going to change just yet. Just researching options for the future. I would really like this DPMS to be an accurate shooter out to at least 600 yards. I dont have any real experience with the .243 but have been doing a lot of reading on here and im just exploring options for the future. The gun arrives on Monday and I will get my hands on experience with it then.

I have tried to ask questions on the DPMS forum to gain knowledge from people who actually have the semiautomatic gas guns in .243 but there is limited responses and activity on that board.

I didnt think about the longer bullets being a problem in the magazines so im glad you mentioned it.

Thank you again for all of your comments. I will take each of them into consideration for any future plans.

I know I may be getting ahead of myself since I have not even received the gun yet. I may be perfectly happy with its current configuration. I do plan to put a new trigger in the rifle though. Not sure which brand I will use yet though.

 

[DennisH]

You will have to be carefull with your DPMS, 9.25 twist should do everything you want out to 600yds. 90grn bullets might be the max!

We will see what other suggestions come up!

Take care,

 

[Yellow11]

Work the Don Miller formula backwards, from the bullet weight you want to use.

Too little twist will steal your accuracy.

If you are looking to hunt deer with the .243, then you should be looking for the heavier end of your bullet range, which makes your possible choice 1-8 twist.

 

[xtightg]

My 243 Winchester does not shoot any thing over 90 gr and especially the VLD type consistently.
I tried the 105 Amax out of 5 rounds at 100 yards only 1 hit the large target going side ways.
My next barrel will be a 1:8.
85 gr GameKings work just fine in my 1 : 10

 

[whbonney26]

You will have to be carefull with your DPMS, 9.25 twist should do everything you want out to 600yds. 90grn bullets might be the max!

We will see what other suggestions come up!

Take care,

What do you mean I will have to be careful? DPMS told me that they recommend the 95-100 grains for the 1:10 twist in my rifle.

 

[whbonney26]

Work the Don Miller formula backwards, from the bullet weight you want to use.

Too little twist will steal your accuracy.

If you are looking to hunt deer with the .243, then you should be looking for the heavier end of your bullet range, which makes your possible choice 1-8 twist.

Yes....deer would prob. be on the list. Im not familiar with the Don Miller formula but will try to find out info on it.

 

[whbonney26]

My 243 Winchester does not shoot any thing over 90 gr and especially the VLD type consistently.
I tried the 105 Amax out of 5 rounds at 100 yards only 1 hit the large target going side ways.
My next barrel will be a 1:8.
85 gr GameKings work just fine in my 1 : 10

Im thinking that when it is time a 1:8 may be what I lean towards. I want this gun to get out there. I have shot out to 600 yards with my .300mag but since im still new to the .243 I just dont know what the bullets will act like in this gun.